How quiet is it Chez Finkelstein on Christmas morning? Quiet enough that I actually resorted to my HBO on Demand re-run channel and decided to check out a two-minute Def Comedy short. I wasn't looking for trouble, let alone grist for the NB mill. But here's what turned up. A comedian named Patrice O'Neal. And these were the very first words out of his mouth:
View video here.
Hello, how're you doin? My name is Patrice O'Neal and I'm disturbed by the fact that I think every black person hates George Bush. Now I'm one of them. But the fact is I don't even have a good God------ reason why I don't. I just don't like him because he's a cracker.
O'Neal proceeded to do some women-in-the-street interviews that in every case quickly veered from the political to the sexual/personal. He concluded the segment as perplexed as ever.
This is what passes for entertainment on HBO -- owned by Time Warner. Not exactly "It's a Wonderful Life." But popular culture notwithstanding, sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas to all our NB community!
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Comments Policy
I like it like that!
December 25, 2007 - 13:58 ET by viluzionMerry Christmas, Mark. It's nice and quiet at my house too. That's why I love living in the sticks.
Many thanks -- Merry
December 25, 2007 - 14:02 ET by Mark FinkelsteinMany thanks -- Merry Christmas to you.
Mark Finklestein if your still bored do a story on this
December 25, 2007 - 14:15 ET by Daniel Bakerhttp://newsbusters.org/forums/latest-news/huckabees-dean-scream-moment-msnbc-interview-18044
"I just don't like him
December 25, 2007 - 14:27 ET by MikeB"I just don't like him because he is a cracker." Where is the outrage of the diversity crowd? Isn't this a blatantly racist comment? Would it have been "comedy" if someone, say Michael Richards, said something like "I just don't like [Obama] because he is a n****r"? Wouldn't that have been a real knee-slapper? How long would it have taken Je$$e Jack$on or Al $harpton to be decrying those comments and demanding extortion money from the network that allowed him to say it?
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Quiet here too.
December 25, 2007 - 14:32 ET by OldSailor88Just think if a white comedian would have a Blazing Saddles moment. Like Gabby Johnson standing on top of the Church when the new President, Jesse Jackson is pulling up in his Limo.
"The POTUS is a **GONG**"
Wouldn't be so funny then, now would it?
Christmas at home for a Navy man. Doesn't get any better. I wish you and your Family the best, Mark.
MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL!!
Many thanks, Old Sailor.
December 25, 2007 - 14:35 ET by Mark FinkelsteinMany thanks, Old Sailor. Merry Christmas to you.
Mark Finkelstein
December 25, 2007 - 15:01 ET by d1carterMerry Christmas, Mark and all the NB staff!!
Many thanks, d1carter.
December 25, 2007 - 15:09 ET by Mark FinkelsteinMany thanks, d1carter. Merry Christmas to you!
This is what passes for
December 25, 2007 - 15:38 ET by motherbeltThis is what passes for entertainment on HBO -Mark F.
And apparently Patrice O'Neal is what passes for "talent."
Such eloquence! ( I would have said he's articulate, but you know.....)
Merry Christmas to all!
HBO means...
December 26, 2007 - 08:53 ET by PawpawNHBO means HATE BUSH ORGANIZATION!!
well i know most folks aren't going to agree with me on this
December 25, 2007 - 18:21 ET by lunaticcringeradioi'm very familiar with patrice, i've met him a few times at a few of his stand up bits, i listen to him all the time on opie & anthony, so if you aren't familiar with his style of humor which is understandable, he's not being dishonest in what he said and he is admiting in his statement that his reasoning for his decision is basically rooted in a ridiculous ignorant uninformed standpoint. now who all here agrees that black people don't like bush because they think he's a cracker. is that an inaccurate statement. no it isn't. it's well documented, it's the truth, and the tragic part of that truth is it's due to blacks are largely ignorant to politics. now is that going to make me a racist now?
what patrice has said is the truth, he even admits he doesn't have a good reason for his decision, so at least he's on the path to enlightenment by at least identifying the situation.
of course remember he's a shock style comedian, so he's trying to say something edgey to catch peoles attention in this 30 sec soundbite world. just like me i try to go out of my way to be offensive, inappropriate, and just plain wrong. not everyone enjoys the you might be a redneck kind of jokes. not everyone appreciates my humor. but i would suggest that instead of being outraged at patrice, realize that he is basically asking for someone to inform him and others like him.
and of course i'm bias cause i listen to the guy and laugh my ass of at him. trust me patrice is no whoopie goldberg, jesse jackson, or al sharpton.
lunaticcringeradio
Alright, I appreciate your
December 25, 2007 - 19:18 ET by Mark FinkelsteinAlright, I appreciate your insight based on having watched the guy. I'll say this: despite his words, he didn't come across as an angry guy. He seemed much more interested in getting with the ladies he interviewed than in politics!
Shock?
December 25, 2007 - 19:21 ET by m4ster chief"...of course remember he's a shock style comedian..."
"Shock style comedian" simply means he hasn't the talent to be funny so instead he crams as many f-words and n-words into his three minutes on-stage as possible. This style says a lot about him; the fact that you listen to him and laugh your a** off says something about you. If I would listen to the "lunatic cringe radio" you seem to be plugging, that would say something about me...so I won't.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Christmas at sea; a breeze across the deck, salty spray tickles the face, the aroma of fresh coffee, stack gas, and roasting round of beef is in the air. Just another Navy day aboard ship as a Navy Chief...the perfect life!
Counter Point
December 27, 2007 - 20:17 ET by wagreen"is that an inaccurate statement. no it isn't."
First of all, as a black man, I would like to say that not all black people hate Bush. I have been one of his strongest supporters throughout his presidency. As a result, I have suffered much ridicule and name calling in the black community. Although there are not many of us, not all black people hate Bush simply because he is white. May I suggest that you listen to Larry Elder or read the articles of Walter Williams or Thomas Sowell to name a few.
On the subject of the racist statement, I would like to say that until everyone, both balck and white, hold black racists up to the same standards as whites, we will always be viewed as a second class race in the eyes of other races. We are only allowed to get away with it because whites still feel guilty about slavery. As a result of that guilt, they do not hold us accountable or they lower standards. I do believe that all men are created equal, therefore I want equal treatment under the law and expect to be held to the same standards as other decent law abiding citizens. I am outraged everytime someone excuses bad behavior because it is our culture or due to years of racisim.
Racism is not dead. There are racist in every race. However, unlike in the past, we do not have government sponsered racism. Therefore, there is no excuse today for the state of the black community. Where in the past racisim was responsible for more than 80 to 90% of our problems. I would say today that racism may account for at best 3 to 5% of our problems. We need to stop blaming white people for all our problems and start holding our people accountable starting with this character.
Not all black people hate Bush because he is white. Carry on. Semper Fidelis.
"When I was a
child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a
child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
1 Corithians 13:11
Good post, wagreen
December 27, 2007 - 21:16 ET by RJYou're completely right about all the black/white and black/black stuff, but what catches my attention tonight is "As a result, I have suffered much ridicule and name calling in the black community." I recognize that that kind of peer pressure makes it particularly difficult to break out and think for yourself. Bravo that you have.
But I have to argue with you about this: "However, unlike in the past, we do not have government sponsered racism." It's my strong belief that liberal, nanny-state government and liberals in general are racist, because they hold blacks blacks from self-reliance. I belive it's done to keep back and others dependent on their "largess", and I call that government sponsored racism. Sure, it's not the same as the bad old days, but it's government sponsored racism nevertheless.
Haven't seen you before, but I hope you keep posting here.
(Looks like you're a Marine, too.)
"They are the new greatest generation." -Gen. David Petraeus
I was really, really bored
December 25, 2007 - 21:36 ET by FishFace222I was really, really bored this morning and was watching "I love the '80s" on VH1. Whenever O'Neal came on, it always turned to a comment about race. He has a one track mind.
Did I read that wrong or did
December 25, 2007 - 22:48 ET by NortoDid I read that wrong or did he call God a "cracker?"
Sorry, I thought the dashes after were dots. That being the case he would have been, otherwise he is calling GW the cracker.
The God......means he has a
December 25, 2007 - 23:50 ET by motherbeltThe God......means he has a good G-dmn reason...I think.
Godd***it
December 26, 2007 - 02:41 ET by HeikiMB,
You are correct in your reading of the dots.
The opinion of certain E-9's aside, shock, or offensive, obsenity-laden comedy can be not only side-splitting entertainment but also a candid, cathartic way to point up the sheer stupidity of some of our most cherished, yet (in public, anyway) unspoken views. And that goes for folks of all stripes. Carlos Mencia is the all-time master of this form of comedy, IMHO.
No indignation, no resignation
December 26, 2007 - 08:15 ET by Blogger Guy00001Patrice O'Neal will not be asked to apologize and resign. He is protected from birth against accusations of racism.
Hypocritical indignation is reserved for the sons and daughters of White Europeans.
But we deserve it!
December 27, 2007 - 09:03 ET by JseitlerI mean, come on guys, they're just making up for all of the oppression your great-great-great grandfather might have brought upon them. And can you blame them for hating us "crackers"? I mean, look at the facts:
1. We're all racist b*stards.
2. None of us can jump high.
3. None of us can dance.
4. We all have insufficiently-sized lower extremities. (This is the most painful truth...)
5. We all talk like an announcer at a 1920's Kentucky Derby... "Annnnnd they're off!"
I mean, when you consider these non-stereotypical facts, how can you not hate us crackers? That's not racism, it's righteous judgement!
</sarc>